Disney has officially solidified its theatrical roadmap, locking in several highly anticipated Marvel, Pixar, and live-action releases through 2029. Fresh off the heels of the D23 fan event, the entertainment giant revealed exactly when fans will see Ryan Gosling take up the mantle of the Spirit of Vengeance, alongside crucial updates for mutant-kind and Wakanda.
The 2028 Marvel Takeover
The year 2028 is shaping up to be one of the biggest in Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) history, with three major blockbuster anchors already locked into the calendar:
- X-Men (May 5, 2028): The untitled mutant reboot kicks off the lucrative summer movie season.
- Ghost Rider (July 28, 2028): Starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine), this film officially brings the motorcycle-riding antihero into the MCU. Gosling takes over the iconic role previously played by Nicolas Cage. The script is penned by Jonathan Tropper (The Adam Project).
- Black Panther 3 (December 15, 2028): A prime holiday release slot promises a massive box office run for the next chapter in the Wakandan saga.
Additionally, Disney moved an untitled Marvel movie to November 9, 2029, which was previously listed as a generic Disney release.
Major Pixar and Disney Animation Updates
Marvel isn't the only brand getting a schedule shakeup. Disney also laid out its upcoming animated and live-action slate, showcasing a strong commitment to theatrical releases:
- Ghost Market (March 10, 2028): This Pixar original, inspired by Asian myths of stores where the living and dead interact, was originally planned as a streaming series but has been upgraded to a full theatrical launch.
- Coco 2 (November 21, 2029): Fans at D23 got their first look at a teenage Miguel. Benjamin Bratt is confirmed to return as the voice of Ernesto de la Cruz.
- Tangled Live-Action (March 31, 2028): Disney's highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Rapunzel's story now has an official spring release date.
- Clay (November 22, 2028): A brand-new animated feature slated for the Thanksgiving holiday window.
Indie and Horror Shifts
Searchlight Pictures also shifted its horror-thriller Monitor, moving its release up two weeks to April 16, 2027. Directed by Matt Black and Ryan Polly, the film follows a demonic entity terrorizing message board moderators.
By solidifying these dates, Disney is signaling a strong return to theatrical-first storytelling, upgrading projects like Pixar's Ghost Market from streaming-only to the big screen.
